Halia Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Lehi, Utah, has been awarded the prestigious Novo Nordisk Golden Ticket to advance its innovative research on chronic inflammation and obesity-related diseases. The announcement, made on March 11, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the company as it prepares to expand its development efforts in Europe.
The Novo Nordisk Golden Ticket – BioLabs European Award provides Halia with fully sponsored laboratory space, including one lab bench, one desk, and BioLabs membership for one year, with the option to apply the value toward private lab space. This award is specifically granted to promising biotech companies developing transformational therapies for cardiometabolic and obesity-related conditions.
"Receiving the Novo Nordisk Golden Ticket is a significant milestone for Halia Therapeutics," said David J. Bearss, Ph.D., CEO of Halia Therapeutics. "This award provides valuable resources to accelerate our research and validates our approach to tackling chronic inflammation and obesity-related diseases. With access to BioLabs' premier facilities and mentorship from Novo Nordisk, we are in a stronger position to advance HT-6184 toward clinical development."
Targeting Metaflammation with Novel Approach
Halia's lead candidate, HT-6184, represents a first-in-class NEK7/NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor specifically designed to target metaflammation—the chronic, low-grade inflammation associated with obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and related diseases. This innovative approach addresses one of the fundamental mechanisms underlying obesity-related disorders.
Preclinical studies have yielded promising results, demonstrating that HT-6184 enhances the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs that includes popular weight loss medications. The compound has shown the ability to promote weight loss while preserving lean mass and reducing inflammation—a critical advantage in obesity treatment where maintaining muscle mass during weight reduction remains challenging.
The company is now preparing to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study testing HT-6184 in combination with Semaglutide, a widely prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonist, in early 2025. This combination approach could potentially address limitations of current obesity treatments by targeting both appetite regulation and underlying inflammatory processes.
Strategic Benefits Beyond Laboratory Space
Beyond the physical laboratory resources, the Golden Ticket award ensures priority admission to BioLabs facilities in Heidelberg or Paris, providing Halia access to state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure and shared research facilities. Perhaps more valuable is the direct engagement with Novo Nordisk's scientific and business executives, along with access to their scientific and industry advisors' team.
This mentorship and networking opportunity is expected to accelerate Halia's research and development timeline while strengthening its position in the European biotech ecosystem. The award creates a critical pathway for global expansion and strategic partnerships, potentially opening doors to additional funding and collaboration opportunities.
Broader Pipeline Addressing Inflammation-Driven Diseases
While the Golden Ticket specifically supports Halia's obesity research, the company maintains a broader pipeline focused on inflammation-driven diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Beyond HT-6184, the company is developing HT-4253, a LRRK2 inhibitor being evaluated for its potential in neuroinflammation-related diseases.
Halia's comprehensive approach targets conditions including Alzheimer's disease and lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS), demonstrating the company's commitment to addressing the root causes of inflammation across multiple therapeutic areas.
The recognition from Novo Nordisk, a global leader in diabetes and obesity care, validates Halia's scientific approach and positions the company for accelerated development of its innovative pipeline. As obesity rates continue to rise globally, novel approaches that address both weight management and the underlying inflammatory processes represent a significant opportunity to improve patient outcomes.
